France takes on Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup today, with Argentina awaiting Sunday’s final at Lucille Stadium. France is the reigning champions and is hoping to become the first team in 60 years. Morocco is the first African country reach to this stage of the FIFA World Cup.
In getting here, they knocked out Portugal and Spain after topping a group including Croatia and Belgium. The match will start at 10 pm local time, which is 7 pm GMT, 2 pm ET, and 11 am PT.
Regragui: There is no specific plan for Mbappe.
Morocco head coach Waleed Regragai told reporters yesterday that he has no specific system in mind to counter the impact of France superstar Kylian Mbappe. Instead, it looks like he will rely on Mbappe’s club-mate at PSG, Achraf Hakimi. “He knows Mbappe better than I do,” Regragai said of Hakimi. I’m sure he’s in a better place to know Kylene than I am. “I’m not going to set a strategy to compete with Mbappe. Unfortunately, France has many other good players, Griezmann between the lines, and Dembele is also an excellent complement for Mbappe on the other wing. Hakimi is also one of the best people in the world at his position.
“They are both champions, both world-class players. We should not focus on Kylene, but on what we can do to create problems for France. I have no doubt that Hakimi will be in top form to get the better of his friend.
Hakimi and Mbappe, who are good friends outside of football, will almost certainly join the former Morocco right-back and the latter France left-back forward today.
Prediction:
While this is a prediction based mostly on sentimental reasoning—and the desire to see more passionate celebrations from Moroccan supporters around the world—I believe there is yet another chapter in the 2022 World Cup story.
Aside from being a sucker for a narrative, I’ve given this prediction some thought.
England exposed some of France’s defensive frailties on Saturday as Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden capitalized on the quick decision-making of Theo Hernandez and Jules Conde to trouble Didier Deschamps all evening.
So what happens when Hernandez, who also conceded a penalty late in the game, goes up against Hakim Ziyech – the Moroccan right-wing wizard who plays like a man?
Zech has been in impressive form and in every game, he has shown aspects of his game that many doubted existed prior to the tournament, such as his defensive work rate and Strategy.
This will be the match where he reminds the world of his trademark attribute – his brilliant left foot. I think two goals, an assist, and the French defenders were blown away. Kylian Mbappe can also take his pen and pad to Albeit Stadium as he will need to take notes.
Moroccan reggae on its French connection
International football is often very binary, which can create problems and tensions when not needed. Morocco head coach Waleed Regragai was born in France and spent most of his career there. He was asked yesterday how it feels to face him now as Morocco’s coach.
He said yes, I was born in France, I have dual citizenship and it is an honor, a pleasure.
It is an honor and a pleasure to face France.
“I am the coach of Morocco and tomorrow we will face the best team in the world. Reaching the final is the most important thing.
As a coach, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing, it doesn’t interest me. “I’m a football coach, so I focus on the game. If it was England we were facing, this would be it. As a coach, you want to test yourself as a team, that’s the message I send to my players.
“When we play for Morocco, we are Moroccan.
This is a football match and it should be a football festival, and for all dual nationals, it should be a football festival. If it’s Morocco or France that wins, I’m sure many dual citizens will be happy either way.”
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.